Indicating apparatus



J y 13, 1943. G. A. THQMPSON 2,324 336 INDIQAT ING APPARATUS Filed Feb.17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1' Inventor A iiorneys y 1943- G. A. THOMPSON2,324,336

INDICAIING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17. 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 "W W0 ilnvenior I deorje 19 T/z/om vswz AHm-neus July 13, 1943. G. A. THOMPSON2,324,336

INDICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 um; g m;

4; v if 4540 I O MM J 45 Z56 Q Mm O I O Inventor A iiomeys July 13,1943.

G. A. THOMPSON INDICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1-940 7 Sheets-Sheet4 In ventor A iiorneys July 13, 1943. G. A. THOMPSON 2,324,336

nmmwlmmumu M III A iiomeysf y 1943. G. A. THOMPSON 2,324,336

INDICATING APPARATUS In ventol A iiomeys G. A. THOMPSON INDICATINGAPPARATUS July 13, 1943.

Filed Feb. 17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 RUD DER Georje fl-Tkam oson/Inventor gnaw/Z31 A iiorneys Patented July 13, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENTQFFICE' 3 Claims.

This invention 'appertains to new and useful improvements in indicatingapparatus and more particularly to the improvements on my Patent No.2,120,771, issued June 14, 1938, for Electric level indicator. Thepresent invention relates more particularly to indicators of the typeemploying an electric indicator such as a milliammeter in conjunctionwith an automatically controlled rheostat.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an indicatorwherein an electric resistor is employed in conjunction with an automatic controller, wherein the parts while being of stable and durableconstruction are operative in a freely and wear-compensating manner, tothe end that the apparatus will be substantially fool-proof in operationand not susceptible to the requirement of frequent repairs orreplacements.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an indicatorinvolving an automatically controlled rheostat in conjunction with anelectric indicating instrument, and further in conjunction with agyroscope, constructed and arranged in such a manner that the instrumentwill respond to and indicate any angular change of position of thegyroscope movable frame, such as would be due to precession.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an electricindicating apparatus of the character described wherein a gyroscope isemployed to counteract centrifugal force, which force formerlyinterfered with the pendulous motion.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide anindicating apparatus of the character stated employing a gyroscopedriven by an electric motor wherein the current to the motor is suppliedthrough the bearings upon which the weight of the motor and gyrowheelare supported.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicating apparatusof the character described cmploying a gyroscope and a resistor, andfurther wherein, the voltage drop across any portion of said resistor isplaced under measurement, or is determined by means of a contaotoragainst which the resistor is adapted to ride, the contactor supplyingthe various electrical values received therefrom, to a suitablycalibrated meter.

These and numerous other important objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent to the reader of the followingspecification.

In the drawings- Figure 1 represents a front elevational view of thegyro-resistor apparatus shown in, conjunc- Figure 4 is a verticalsectional view taken sub stantially on the line 54 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substan-.

tially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of one of they insulation frame sides.

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view of the re sistor and the contactortherefor.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 3-4 of Fig ure 7.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the resistor, motor, gyro-frameand other electrical element electrically connected.

Figure 1G is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing a modifiedform of resistor driven by a governor.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing a modifiedform of resistor driven by wind responsive means.

Figure 12 is a detailed sectional view through the wind tunnel of thestructure shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View through still anotherform of the invention especially adapted for indicating the level ofliquid.

Figure 14 is a section on the line lii5 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken from the position15-45 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view showing a dual system for automaticallycontrolling the portions 10 and II respectively secured to the base 1 byscrews [2.

Trunnion pins i3l4 extend inwardly from the upper end portions of theposts 8 and Q, the outer ends of these pins being threaded toaccommodate nuts l5 for holding the pins definitely in position forsupporting the gyro-frame I6.

This frame 16 consists of the side members i! and i8 of some suitableinsulation, the frame side I! being formed with a square opening 19 toreceive the square boss of the gyro motor 20. The armature shaft 21 ofthe motor extends through a bearing 22 in the frame side member l8 andbetween the motor 29 and the frame side l8, the armature shaft 2!carries the gyro wheel 23 which, of course, is in the nature of a heavyflywheel.

For damping the motion of the gyro frame l6 and ironing out anyvibrations that may occur therein, a damping unit generally referred toby numeral 24 is employed. This damping unit consists of a bracket 25supporting the receptacle 26 in which is a suitable light oil or otherliquid 27 in which the paddle 28 is free to oscillate. The top of thereceptacle 26 has the upstanding open neck 29 through which the stem 36of the paddle 28 extends and this can be packed against loss of oil.This stem being preferably square is cross section and extending throughthe square opening 3| in the outer end portion of the pin 32 whichprojects from the raised structure 33 on the side member 34 of theaforementioned frame I6. This side member 34 being opposed to and inparallel relation with the side member 35 and both of these side members34 and 35 are of current conductive material.

It will be observed that the trunnion pins [3 and I4 extend into theball-bearing assemblies 36 which are embedded in the side members 34 and35 of the frame [6.

A pair of cylindrical posts 37-3! arise from the wing portions 38 of thefoot portion H of the post 9 and each has a collar 39 thereon which canbe held in any desired position on the corresponding post 39 by a setscrew 48.

End portions of the side member 34 of the frame 16 are formed withopenings 4! through which the upper ends of the tensioned springs 42 arehooked or otherwise disposed. The lower ends of these springs 4242extend over the upper ends of the post 31 and are attached to theadjustable collars 39 as suggested in Figure 3. These springs 4242 serveto steady the frame and prevent any motion thereof that would becounteractive to the operation of the gyroscope.

Figure 5 clearly shows the resistor assembly generally referred to bynumeral 5, this consisting of the pair of leg member 4343 depending fromthe side member 35. The strip 44 of suitable insulation has theresistance wire 4-5 coiled thereon to provide a flat coil against whichthe contact roller 46 of the contactor generally referred to by numeral46 is capable of riding, it being understood at this time, of course,that the resistor 6 actually moves against the contactor 41, thecontactor 4! being fixed to the base 1.

The contactor 4'! consists in construction of a barrel 48 dividedlongitudinally into an upper section a and a lower section b. Theplunger 49 operates longitudinally in the barrel and against thecompression spring 50 which, of course, serves to maintain the plunger43 moved outwardly and the roller 46 forced against the coil 45. Thelower section b of the barrel 48 is internally grooved as at 5i toreceive the key of the plunger 49, this key being denoted by numeral 52.

Obviously this key 52 and groove 5| prevent rotation of the plunger 49in the barrel 43.

The barrel 48 is held in a parallel position with respect to the base 1by means of the pin 53 which extends downwardly through one end of thebarrel and is threadedly disposed into the base 1, a spacer sleeve 54being provided on the pin 53 to properly space the barrel 48 from thebase I, so that the roller 46 will be in the proper contacting relationwith the resistor coil 45.

Figure 9 clearly shows the circuits employed in conjunction with theapparatus aforedescribed.

In Figure 9, numeral 55 denotes a milliammeter type electric instrumentwhich is calibrated for left and right turning of an aircraft. Numeral55 represents the source of electricity which has the lead 5'? to oneside of instrument 55 and also by way of the jumper 53 to the post 9.The post 9 is of current ccnductive material and directiy contacting theframe member 3-5 and the latter, in turn, is connected by the jumper 59to the motor 23, the other side of the motor 28 being connected by thejumper it to the frame member 35 which is in electric connection withthe post 3 by way of the corresponding trunnion pin l4. The return sideof the battery 55 is denoted by numeral 6 I. Extending from theremaining side of the instrument 55 is the jumper 52 which connects toone side of the fixed resistance 52 (approximately 5000 J ohms) and fromthe other side of this resistance 52 extends the jumper 64 to thevariable resistor generally referred to by numeral 55. The variableresistor 65 is, in turn, connected to the contactor 41 which includesthe roller 43.

Obviously, when an aircraft equipped with the apparatus aforedescribedturns in one direction, the apparatus will tilt and the frame IE willassume a corresponding compensatory position with the result that theresistor coil 45 has been moved to a position with one end closer to theroller 48 than the other resulting in a correspond ing divergence of theindicator member of the instrument 55 from zero position, and asthemstrument is calibrated this will read either to the right or to theleft. Obviously the amount of movement of the indicating hand 66 of theinstrument 55 will depend upon the turn of the aircraft and the settingof the variable resistor 85, limits of the number of degrees of turn ofthe aircraft to the right or to the left per unit of time, of course,being reasonably comparative with the limits of movement of theindicator hand 66 to the right or left, but, of course, this can beaccurately regulated by the variable resistor 65.

To minimize fluctuating currents of extremely small value which appearto originate in the roller contactor due to imperfect contact betweenballs and ball races, said fluctuations giving an unsteady milliammeterreading, a strip spring 51 is secured on the contactor 47 with one endanchored as at 58 and the other end, that is, the free end bearingagainst the periphery of the roller 45.

Obviously, the aforedescribed apparatus can be used in a dual system forcontrolling the flight of an aircraft, or in fact maintaining anyvessel, either an aircraft or a marine-craft on an even predeterminedcourse. In this connection attention is invited to Figure 16. The systemillustrated in Figure 16 is divided into the left phase generallyreferred to by numeral 69 and the right phase generally referred to bynumeral it. Assuming that the rudder of the craft is denoted by numeralH' and that the same has the laterally disposed arms 72-?2. The ends ofthese arms 12- 52 are connected by links or other means 13 and theconnecting rods '14 to pistons '55 in the cylinders 76-'!6.

Numeral T! represents an air pressure manifold having the intake pipeI8. Each end of this manifold 11 connects to the valve box I9 in which abutterfly valve 80 is operative. Each of these butterfly valves 80 iscontrolled by a lever 8I through which a rod 82 is operative. Each ofthese rods 82 may also operate through a guide 83 extending from theadjacent box I9 and each rod 82 extends from the movable core 84 of thecorresponding electro-magnet 85. Interposed between each arm 8| and thecorresponding guide 83 is a compression spring 86.

Extending from each valve box I9 is a duct 81 which communicates withthe rear end of the corresponding cylinder I6. The forward end of eachcylinder I6 is provided with a check valve 88, to permit the escape ofair as the corresponding piston I5 moves forwardly.

As is apparent in Figure 16, the rod 82 extends into a dashpot 89wherein is a piston 90 attached to the rod. The bottom of the dashpot 83is equipped with an escape or relief valve 9I.

Each of the two phases 69 and 'II] of the sys tem are identical inarrangement. As can be seen in Figure 16, the solenoid 85 of the phase59 is in the circuit 92 with the battery 93 and this circuit isinterrupted by the contacts 94 and 95 and the armature 96 of the relaycoil 91. The relay coil 91 is in the circuit 98 with the battery 99, thefilament I90 and plate IIH of the amplifier tube I32. The indicatinginstrument 55a corresponding to the instrument 55 shown in Figure 9, isinterposed between the grid I 03 of the amplifying tube I02 and thecontactor 41a. of the variable resistor assembly 45a. The circuit I64includes the battery I05, the filament I80 and the motor 25a andresistor 45a connected in parallel therewith.

It is to be granted that each of the resistors 45a is controlled by agyro apparatus such as is disclosed in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of thedrawings. When these gyro apparatuses are affected, obviously, theresistance of the circuit I04 is changed to the end that the relay 9! ofeither one or the other of the phases 69 or III is energized, attractingthe corresponding armature 96. This action is indicated and to thedesired degree of' angularity of deviation from the said course of thevessel on the instrument 5511. When the armature 96 bridges the contacts94 and 35, the circuit 92 becomes closed resulting in the energizationof the solenoid 85. This results in the attraction of the core 84 andthe opening of the valve 80 to the end that air from the manifold 'I'Ipasses through the valve box I9 and duct 87 to the cylinder 16 andacting on the corresponding piston I5 moves the rudder TI to the desiredposition to restore the course of the vessel to that predetermined.

Obviously, various adaptations of the variable resistor can be resortedto and some modifications are shown in Figures 10, 11 and 13.

Figure 10 shows resistor I06 which consists of the beam member I07having the depending leg members I58 and I69 bridged at their lower endsby the strip H3 on which the resistor coil III is wound. One end of thisstrip I I is connected by the stabilizing spring II2 to the base I I3,the latter being of insulation. Reference character 4'") denotes theroller of a contact assembly corresponding to the contact assembly 41,as shown in Figure l. The beam I0! is carried by the shaft I54 which isjournaled through the upper portion of the post II and which has the armH5 extending laterally therefrom and equipped with a roller III ridingthe travel plate II 8 of a governor mechanism generally referred to bynumeral I I 9. Obviously, travel of the plate H8 on the governor shaft Iwill result in a swinging action of the arm I I6 and a correspondingtilting action of the resistor I06 with a relative differential betweenthe coil III and the contactor roller 41b.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 11, the spring lI2a may bechanged to the other end of the resistor coil strip IIOa. The resistorassembly generally referred to by reference numeral I66a in this form ofthe invention is carried by the shaft II4a extending through the postII'5a. Numeral l2I represents a wind tunnel having the inlet opening I22at one end and the outlet I23 at its opposite end. In the tunnel I2Iwhich is preferably mounted in a stationary manner is the windresponsive vane I24 carried by the shaft II4a, the latter extending intothe forward end of the tunnel I2I. Obviously, as wind pressure affectsthe vane I24, the shaft Il4a is rotated and correspondingly the resistorIU Sa is tilted to an extent comparative to the movement of the vaneI24.

A further adaptation of the resistor is shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15and in this adaptation, the resistor is particularly utilized forindicating the level of liquid in a tank. In this last form of theinvention, the tank is denoted by reference character I25 and the samehas the shaft I25 extending downwardly through the bearing I21 in thetop of the tank and into the bearing I28 on the bottom of the tank. Onthis shaft I26 is the beveled gear I29 meshing with the bevel gear I30from which extends the elongated stern I3I carrying the float I32 ridingthe surface I33 of the liquid in the tank I25. At the upper portion ofthe shaft I26 is the shoulder I34 on which rests the beam I35 from whichprojects the legs I35I36. The beam I35 is held in place on the shaft I26by the nut I3'I. Further construction of the resistor which is generallyreferred to by numeral I33 consists of the strip of insulation I39bridging the legs I36I36 and the resistor coil I49 wound thereon. Thisresistor I38 is adapted to ride back and forth depending upon therotation of the shaft I26 by the float I22, under and against the rollerI II which is mounted in the yoke I42 of the contactor unit generallyreferred to by numeral I43 and which is secured to the upright I44 by abolt I45 passing through the spacer I46, the latter properly spacing thecontactor from the post.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specificterms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, sizeand materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A resistor comprising a support, a carrier, pivotal connecting meansbetween the carrier and the supporting means, a resistance elementdisposed on the carrier and means for damping the action of the carrier,a contactor in wiping relation with the resistance, said damping meansconsisting of a container having an open top, a paddle depending intothe receptacle, a volume of fluid in the receptacle into which a portionof the paddle is disposed, and an arm responsive to the action of thecarrier and to which the paddle is secured.

2. A resistor comprising a support, a carrier,

pivotal connecting means between the carrier and the supporting means, aresistance element disposed on the carrier and means for damping theaction of the carrier, a contactor in Wiping relation with theresistance, said damping means consisting of a container having an opentop, a paddle depending into the receptacle, a volume of fluid in thereceptacle into which a portion of th paddle is disposed, and an armresponsive to the action of the carrier and to which 10 the paddle issecured, said arm having an opening therein, said paddle having a shankadjustably disposed through the opening of the arm.

3. A control apparatus of the character deaeegsse

